Levosalbutamol
About Levosalbutamol
Levosalbutamol is used to treat bronchospasm and symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It helps to relieve symptoms like coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
Levosalbutamol contains 'Levosalbutamol,' which is also known as levalbuterol. It is a bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. Levosalbutamol thus makes breathing easier by widening the airways.
The common side effects of Levosalbutamol include nausea, vomiting, restlessness, tremor (shakiness), headache, muscle tightness, dryness or soreness of the throat, dizziness, sleepiness, and nasal congestion (stuffy nose). Consult your doctor if the side effects are persistent.
Do not use Levosalbutamol if you are allergic to any of its components. Please check with your doctor if you are pregnant, currently breastfeeding, or if you are taking any other prescribed or non-prescribed medicines.
Uses of Levosalbutamol
Medicinal Benefits
- Levosalbutamol is effective in relieving bronchospasm (sudden narrowing of the airways) caused by conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- It relaxes the muscles of the airways and helps widen them, making it easier to breathe.
- Levosalbutamol helps control symptoms like wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath in patients with asthma.
- It alleviates respiratory symptoms associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
- Provides fast-acting relief during acute asthma attacks or sudden episodes of breathlessness.
- By dilating the bronchial passages, Levosalbutamol improves airflow and oxygen delivery to the lungs.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Hold the inhaler with the mouthpiece facing downwards. Form a tight seal by placing your lips around the mouthpiece. Start breathing slowly with your mouth and push down the inhaler once. Remove the inhaler and breathe normally.
- Levosalbutamol is for inhalation purpose only.
Storage
Side Effects of Levosalbutamol
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Restlessness
- Tremor (shakiness)
- Headache
- Muscle tightness
- Dryness or soreness of the throat
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Palpitations (irregular heartbeat)
- Nasal congestion (stuffy nose)
- Increased heart rate
Drug Warnings
- Inform your doctor if you have any heart, liver or kidney diseases, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), stomach ulcer, seizures (fits), high blood pressure, and diabetes before using Levosalbutamol.
- Levosalbutamol may cause hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood) in some patients, leading to severe heart disease, so Levosalbutamol should be administered cautiously in patients with low potassium levels.
- Levosalbutamol can cause a rise in blood glucose levels. Please monitor your blood glucose levels if you have diabetes and inform your doctor so that the dose can be adjusted accordingly.
- Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or if you are a lactating mother before starting Levosalbutamol.
- Drive only if you are alert, since Levosalbutamol may cause dizziness and drowsiness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Levosalbutamol may interact with fluid retention drugs (furosemide), heart-related drugs (digoxin), corticosteroids (fluticasone, budesonide), bronchodilators (salmeterol, vilanterol, formoterol, albuterol), and medicines that treat vomiting (ondansetron).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you have heart, liver, kidney diseases, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), stomach ulcer, seizures (fits), high blood pressure or diabetes.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid drinking alcohol while taking Levosalbutamol as it can worsen your sleepiness/dizziness.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorThe safety of Levosalbutamol in pregnant women is unknown. Please consult your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or already pregnant before starting Levosalbutamol.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorThere is limited data on how Levosalbutamol affects breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor before starting Levosalbutamol.
Driving
cautionLevosalbutamol may cause drowsiness and sleepiness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionLevosalbutamol should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. Let your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Levosalbutamol.
Kidney
cautionLevosalbutamol should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. If you have a history of kidney diseases, let your doctor know. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Levosalbutamol.
Children
cautionLevosalbutamol is recommended for children only with a doctor's advice. Your doctor may have to adjust the dose depending on the child's condition and age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to strengthen your breathing muscles and boost your immune system.
- Avoid foods such as cabbage, beans, garlic, onions, shrimp, pickled foods, dried fruits, fried foods, carbonated drinks, wine, and bottled lemon and lime juice, as they may worsen asthma symptoms.
- Do meditation, deep breathing, regular exercise, and try progressive muscle relaxation techniques to get relief from stress and reduce the risk of an asthma attack.
- Quit smoking as it may reduce the effectiveness of Levosalbutamol and irritate the lungs, worsening breathing problems.
- Learning breathing exercises will help you move more air in and out of your lungs.
Special Advise
- Monitor your blood glucose levels regularly since Levosalbutamol can raise blood sugar levels.
- Keep a check on your heart condition (if you are a heart disease patient) with an ECG if you notice any rapid heartbeat and blood pressure changes.
- Undergoing a blood examination for your potassium levels will help rule out the possibility of hypokalaemia.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bronchospasm: It is the tightening of the muscles that line the airways or bronchi in the lungs. Symptoms include wheezing, chest pain, tightness in the chest, and fatigue.
Asthma: It is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty in breathing. The symptoms of asthma include wheezing (whistling sound while breathing), shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough, especially at night.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung diseases characterised by emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes). Smoking tobacco is the major cause of COPD, but long-term exposure to fumes and chemicals may also contribute. Symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath, or wheezing (a whistling sound while breathing).
FAQs
Levosalbutamol is used to treat bronchospasm and symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It helps to relieve symptoms like coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
Levosalbutamol works by relaxing the muscles in the airways and increasing airflow to the lungs.
Levosalbutamol may cause central nervous system stimulation; hence, Levosalbutamol should be used cautiously if prescribed by the doctor for use in patients with seizures, as it might worsen the condition.
Levosalbutamol can cause a rise in blood glucose levels. Hence, monitor your blood glucose levels if you have diabetes and inform your doctor so that the dose can be adjusted accordingly. Your diabetologist may adjust your insulin dose or prescribe alternate diabetic medication based on your condition.
After using Levosalbutamol, you may experience headaches and shakiness. Drink plenty of water and rest to manage your headache. Shakiness goes away gradually. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist longer.
Levosalbutamol can cause hypokalaemia in some patients, leading to cardiovascular effects. Please consult your doctor before taking Levosalbutamol if you are a hypokalaemia patient or are more susceptible to it.
Bronchodilators like Levosalbutamol may cause rapid and irregular heartbeat, changes in blood pressure, and changes in electrocardiogram (ECG). Please seek medical advice before using Levosalbutamol if you are a heart disease patient.
Bronchodilators like Levosalbutamol should be cautiously used only under a doctor's supervision if you have any heart, liver, kidney diseases, hypokalaemia, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), stomach ulcer, seizure (fits), high blood pressure, or diabetes.
